Wrench



WRENCH Filed se t. 3, 1940 INYENTOR.

BY #35? War/"man v 8 Qvfi Patented May 25, 1943 WRENCH Henry H. Mcrriman, Jackson, Mich, assignor to Mechanics Engineering Mich.

Company, Jackson,

Application September 3, 1940, Serial No. 355,158

7 Claims.

The main objects of. this invention are:

First, to provide an improved wrench by'means of which spark plugs may be quickly and easily removed or inserted with little likelihood of injuring the spark plug.

Second, to provide a wrench or wrench member which protects the porcelain or other parts of spark plugs which are likely to be broken or injured and also facilitates the removal and replacement of the spark plugs in positions not immediately accessible and serves as a holder for cleaning the spark plug.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention Will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a wrench embodying the features of my invention with a spark plug shown in full lines in position therein.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, the, spark plug supporting springs being shown in full lines.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation with a spark plug engaged within the wrench.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, th tubular body member I is provided with a socket 2 adapted to receive the spindle of an actuating handle or member and transverse holes 3 also adapted to receive an actuating handle.

The member I is of substantial length and adapted to receive the major portion of a spark plug 4, the spark plug illustrated being one of the type of spark plugs now being extensively used. These spark plugs commonly have porcelain portions 5 and non-circular wrench receiving portions 6.

The member I has a non-circular socket 'l at its outer end adapted to receive the non-circular portion 6 of the spark plug. The bore of the member I is provided with an annular internal groove 8 spaced inwardly relative to the socket l and adapted to receive the annular split ring 9, as shown in Fig. 1.

This member 9 constitutes a support for a plurality of coiled springs It, the ends ll of which are engaged with the supporting ring, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the spring members are supported in transverse relation relative to the bore of the body member and in opposed relation so as to receive the outer portion of the spark plug which is, in this structure illustrated, provided with a reduced neck l2, the springs ll! being properly positioned to engage this neck portion so that they serve to retain the spark plugwithin the socket as well as to prevent the commonly frangible portions thereof from coming into contact with the walls of the wrench. This also serves to hold the spark plug in a yieldable centered position to'permit its being directed into the threaded bore provided for it in the cylinder head, and at the same time it is capable of yielding in the event the operator twists or cants the wrench so that breakage does not result from such manipulation.

The structure is well adapted for use in repair work such as in garages and service stations where it is desired to clean the spark plugs and the spark plugs can be placed even while the engine is hot. It is not necessary to touch the spark plug with the hands.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I consider very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain modifications and adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A wrench socket member comprising a tubular body adapted to receive the major portion of a spark plug and having a non-circular spark plug socket at its outer end and an annular internal groove spaced inwardly from said socket, a split ring expansively engaged in said groove, and a plurality of coiled springs having their ends engaged with said ring whereby they are supported in coacting relation to yieldably receive the non-metal1ic portion of a spark plug and acting to releasably hold a spark plug within the socket.

2. A wrench socket member comprising a tubular body adapted to receive the major portion of a spark plug and having a non-circular spark plug socket at its outer end, a ring mounted within said body, and a plurality of coiled springs having their ends engaged with said ring whereby they are supported in coacting relation to yieldably receive the non-metallic portion of a spark plug and acting to releasably hold a spark plug within the socket.

3. A wrench member comprising a chambered body member having a work receiving socket at its outer end, an annular support receivable in said body member concentric therewith, said support having axial restraining engagement with the body member to prevent inadvertent displacement therefrom, and a plurality of coiled springs secured to said support for insertion therewith in said body member as a unit and mounted within the chambered body at the inner side of the work receiving socket thereof with their axes coplanar, said springs defining angular sided work gripping means and being spaced from one another in the plane of said axes a distance less than the thickness of the work to yield laterally and longitudinally, so as to grip and provide a support for the work yieldably retaining the work within the socket and preventing portions thereof subject to injury from coming into contact with the walls of the Wrench member as it is manipulated to insert or remove the work therefrom.

4. In a wrench, the combination of a chambered elongated body member having a work socket at its outer end, an annular support receivable in said body member concentric therewith, said support having axial restraining engagement with the body member to prevent inadvertent displacement therefrom, and a plurality of coiled springs secured to said support so as to be insertable therewith as a unit in said body member, said springs being disposed transversely of the length of and within said body member in opposed relation defining angular sided, laterally and longitudinally yieldable work gripping means adapted to yieldably receive the outer end of work engaged in the socket to yieldably support the Work and prevent its coming in contact with the walls of the body member.

5. A wrench comprising a chambered body member having a Work receiving socket at its outer end, a plurality of coiled spring work engaging members disposed transversely within said body member and defining angular sided work gripping means, and a support for said work'engaging members to which the latter are secured mounted within said body member whereby the work engagin members are supported to yieldably engage the end of work projecting inwardly beyond the socket.

6. A wrench comprising a chambered body havink a work receiving socket at its outer end, an annular support receivable in said body member concentric therewith, said support having axial restraining engagement with the body member to prevent inadvertent displacement therefrom, and a plurality of independent spring work engaging members which are individually resilient lengthwise and laterally, said members being disposed transversely of the axis of and within the body in opposed relation, definin angular sided work gripping means, and being secured to said support whereby to yieldably receive the outer end of the work to prevent portions thereof subject to injury from coming into contact with the walls of the sockets as the wrench is manipulated to insert or remove the work and adapted to removably retain the work.

'7. In a wrench, the combination of a tubular body member having a work socket at its outer end, an annular support receivable in said body member concentric therewith, said support having axial restraining engagement with the body member to prevent inadvertent displacement therefrom, and a plurality of individually flexible spring work engaging members disposed to extend transversely of the axis of and within said body member, said work engaging members being secured to said support in opposed relation -defining angular sided work gripping means yieldably gripping the work inserted within the socket.

HENRY H. MERRIMAN. 

